Morecambe have announced that their opening day season ticket sales were a resounding success as they prepare for their maiden voyage in the Football League. The club reported a record amount of tickets being sold on the first day last week and a 'steady stream' of sales ever since.
Shrimps' chief executive Rod Taylor said the response had been 'excellent' and he encouraged as many fans as possible to make the most of the season ticket discounts.
He said: "The response we had on the opening day was absolutely tremendous. There was a constant stream of people coming into the office to buy their tickets and it was really encouraging
"The board kept costs at a sensible price and the feedback we have had is excellent. We want as many people as possible to come and support us in the Football League next year."
Morecambe kick off their first ever game in League Two with a home match against Barnet, while Shrimps' fans are also relishing the prospect of a first round Carling Cup clash with Championship promotion-hopefuls Preston.
Taylor added: "There was certainly a lot of excitement and enthusiasm among the fans after the draw against Preston was announced."
Staying with developments at last season's Conference play-off winners, Morecambe chairman Peter McGuigan says his decision to quit sportswear giants Umbro will have no bearing on his role at the football club.
McGuigan, 57, left his role as chief executive at Umbro, where he had been for eight years, helping to rescue the company from the brink of insolvency.
McGuigan is mindful that the club's new status requires extra time and commitment but he says the announcement of his departure at Umbro will have no bearing on his position at Morecambe.
He said: "I've been chairman here for seven years and I hope to be chairman in another seven years and beyond as we tackle our next ambition, which is to progress to League One.
"The Umbro connection has been a very good one for Morecambe but our recent deal with Chinese company Jiang Print shows what potential we have, having moved into the Football League. We will still work with local companies but there is also scope now to look outside our own geographical area for sponsorship."
Since their triumphant play-off final success, McGuigan, along with vice-chairman Graham Hodgson and manager Sammy McIlroy, have been busy trying to sign the players that they believe will make Morecambe a force in League Two next term.
McGuigan added: "We are already getting on with that process but players are being approached by a lot of clubs at the moment so there is plenty of negotiating still to be done.
"We won't be held to ransom and we wont be looking for wholesale changes to our squad. We have the nucleus of a very good team and there's a brilliant spirit that you don't disrupt lightly. Four new, quality players will give us the ability to make a big impact next season."
